ADVISE group calls attention to issue of domestic violence

By Lori Berkey, Contributing Writer

ADVISE co-chairs Janet Trippi (left) and Joanne Tyndall, show off some of the donations that have come in for the organization's upcoming tag sale being held to benefit victims of domestic violence. (Photo/Lori Berkey)

Shrewsbury – Thirteen cases of domestic violence were reported to the Shrewsbury Police since May of 2013, according to Janet Trippi, who recently met with a Shrewsbury police sergeant to gather statistics. Trippi is a founding member and current co-chair of ADVISE (Against Domestic Violence in Shrewsbury Education).

Having volunteered for ADVISE since its inception, Trippi helped start the organization's referral helpline, has been involved in planning and carrying out various awareness events, and has been instrumental forging partnerships with town entities including Shrewsbury Youth and Family Services (SYFS), the police department and Shrewsbury High School.

Trippi knows that the number of domestic violence incidents she hears about don's match up with the number that are reported to the Shrewsbury Police Department. She recently met with SYFS and said she learned that 10-20 percent of that agency's caseload involves domestic violence issues.

In response to the growing population of people from Asia living in Shrewsbury, ADVISE began collaborating with the local Saheli organization which supports victims of domestic violence who hail mainly (but not exclusively) from Southeast Asia. Trippi has noticed that people from certain cultural groups are less likely to reach out for help.

“It is obvious that there is a large number of Asian families in our community and many of these women seem to have serious problems of abuse, both verbal and physical,” Trippi said. “However, these women seem to suffer in silence and search for help and contact the police only in extreme cases. This seems to be the norm in many Asian cultures.”

ADVISE works to promote awareness among residents of all backgrounds in town that domestic violence is happening, that it is unacceptable, and that help is out there. The organization is making some headway.

“We have worked with perhaps six women from India and China with some good results,” Trippi said.

Joanne Tyndall, who co-chairs ADVISE with Trippi, finds it rewarding to participate in the agency's community-wide domestic violence awareness projects and to let people know about the help that is available for them.

“It's gratifying to be able to help somebody even if we'se just making a bigger deal of awareness. We want to educate people so that it won's happen,” Tyndall said.

Trippi offered her thoughts on what's kept her involved as an ADVISE volunteer for nearly 25 years.

“I keep meeting women who have this problem, who have had it in the past, and who are actually going through it now – it just doesn's end,” she said.

ADVISE is now accepting donations of household items, toys and sports equipment for their upcoming tag sale Saturday, June 14, at the First Congregational Church in Shrewsbury, 19 Church Road, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The event will benefit ADVISE's current project of renovating and providing assistance to the Daybreak shelter in support of their women and children victims of domestic violence who have had to leave dangerous living situations. Donations can be brought the church Thursday, June 12, and Friday, June 13, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

For further information on the tag sale or ADVISE services, call Trippi at 508-845-9586 or Tyndall at 508-845-2211.